White Bird greatly appreciates the support of the following foundations and government arts agencies:
Trust Management Services
White Bird thanks all of our Community Partners:
THE VOLUNTEERS OF WHITE BIRD MEREDITH THOMPSON, PT
White Bird’s 2024-25 Season is made possible with support from the Regional Arts and Cultural Council, Creative West, the Marie Lamfrom Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. White Bird receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.
RONNI LACROUTE
CHANGMU DANCE COMPANY
Tonight we are thrilled to finally welcome ChangMu Dance Company to Portland. Those of you who have been with us for a long time may remember that we were originally meant to presenting ChangMu Dance Company in April 2020. Of course, that never happened. Tonight’s presentation, the culmination of a five-year effort to overcome the devastating effect that the pandemic had on international touring, fills us with joy. The importance of maintaining social and cultural connections with our neighbors across the Pacific cannot be understated, and will only become more important in the years to come.
Founded by choreographer Kim Mae-Ja nearly 50 years ago, ChangMu Dance Company (and Kim herself) are significant figures in the history of Korean Dance. By continuing to find new ways to blend traditional and modern elements of Korean dance, the company has maintained its position at the forefront of dance in South Korea for the past half century. Watch out for the fluidity of movement, the detail in hand and head placements, and the precise unison that display the dancers’ strong classical technique.
Please join us early next month, when we conclude our 2024-25 Uncaged Series with RUBBERBAND. This Quebecoise dance company has a style all its own, blending break, ballet, contemporary techniques and dance-theatre. RUBBERBAND will light up The Reser with its signature Vic’s Mix, by Artistic Director Victor Quijada, which highlights Quijada's humor, athleticism, and musical versatility. Tickets are on sale now at whitebird.org
Board of Directors
Walter Jaffe & Paul King, Co-Presidents
Ken Edwards, Vice-President
Kim Allchurch Flick, Treasurer
Sandra Holmes, Secretary
Leroy E. Bynum, Jr.
Graham Cole
Lisa Mangum
Shawn K. Mangum
Nancy & George Thorn, Founding Board Members Emereti
The ChangMu Dance Company’s latest work centers on the beauty and cultural depth of Ganggangsullae, a cherished Korean folk dance rooted in circular movements and collective energy. This traditional dance embodies the profound wisdom and communal spirit of the Korean people, which the company has explored as a source of inspiration and positive reflection. By delving into the intricate patterns, structure, and aesthetics of this heritage, they have reimagined its timeless essence for modern audiences.
In crafting this performance, the company meticulously wove together the full repertoire of founder Kim Mae Ja and ChangMu Dance Company. The result is a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary artistry, incorporating Carl Orff's iconic Carmina Burana chorus, Korean traditional songs, dynamic percussion rhythms, and computer altered Munmyo Jerye music (ancestral rites held at Munmyo Shrine). These elements were carefully arranged to create a harmony between sound and movement. Through this synthesis, ChangMu Dance Company seeks to bridge the cultural sensibilities of East and West.
오늘 밤의 프로그램
<HERE>
에너지를 바탕으로 한 한국의 소중한 민속춤, 강강술래의 아름다움과 문화적 깊이를 조명합니다. 이 전통 춤은 한국인의 깊은 지혜와 공동체 정신을 담고 있으며, 창무무용단은 이를 창작의 원천으로 삼아 긍정적인 성찰의 장으로 삼았습니다. 작품은 강강술래의 정교한 패턴, 구조, 미학을 탐구하며, 그 시대를 초월한 본질을 현대적인 감각으로 재해석하였습니다.
이번 공연에서는 창무무용단과 창립자 김매자의 전 레퍼토리를 면밀히 엮어 전통과 현대 예술이 조화를 이루는 무대를 선보입니다. 독일 작곡가 카를 오르프의 대표적인 합창곡 카르미나 부라나, 한국 전통 민요, 역동적인 타악 리듬, 그리고 컴퓨터로 변형된 문묘제례악(문묘에서 거행되는 유교 제례 음악) 등을 조화롭게 구성하여 소리와 움직임이 어우러지는 특별한 작품을 창조하였습니다. 창무무용단은 이러한 예술적 결합을 통해 동서양의 문화적 감성을 연결하고, 한국 전통 춤의 현대적 가능성을 새롭게 제시합니다.
KIM MAE JA
Executive President, ChangMu Art Center
Kim Mae-ja, a leading contemporary choreographer in Korea, was born in 1943 in Goseong, Gangwon Province. She began dancing at the age of twelve and received training under Hwang Moo-bong during her high school years, and under Kim Cheon-heung and Han Youngsook during her college years. Additionally, she learned shamanistic rituals from Kim Seok-chul of the East Sea Byulshin-gut and Lee Ji-san of the Seoul Gut, and Buddhist rituals from the monk Park Song-han.
From 1972 to 1992, she served as a professor in the Dance Department at Ewha Womans University. In 1976, she founded Changmu Dance Company, and in 1981, she established the Korean Dance Association, serving as its first chairperson. In 1992, she founded the Changmu Arts Center, opened the dedicated dance theater 'Post Theatre', and has been publishing the dancespecialized monthly magazine 'Momm'. She currently serves as the Executive President of the Changmu Arts Center Corporation.
In 1993, as part of international cultural exchange initiatives through the Changmu Arts Center, she founded the Changmu International Performing Arts Festival, which has been held 31 times to date. Her publications include "History of Korean Dance" and "Dances of Korea." She has received numerous awards such as the Kim Sookkun Cultural Prize, the Japanese Yamamoto Yasue Award, the Korean Dance Critics' Special Award, and the Beautiful Dancer Award.
Her representative works include "Dance Origin," "Shim Chung," "Spring Days Go By," "Eyes of the Sky," "Ice River," "Slow Moon," "Bulimi Gate," and "Dance·Mago." She was responsible for the choreography and supervision of the closing ceremony of the 24th Seoul Olympics, "The Departing Ship," and the opera "Chunhyang" for the closing ceremony of the 2002 World Cup.
Kim Mae-ja has performed at world-renowned theaters including Maison de la Danse in Lyon, France; Deutsche Oper in Germany; Kremlin Palace in Russia; Mariinsky Theatre in Russia; Sydney Opera House in Australia; Cairo Opera House in Egypt; Setagaya Public Theatre in Japan; and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China. She has been invited to numerous international performances such as the Lyon Dance Biennale in France, the Kuopio Festival in Finland, the Riverside Dance Festival in the USA, the Indonesia International Dance Festival, the Cervantino Festival in Mexico, and the Tokyo Theater Festival in Japan.
Choi Ji-yeon
Artistic Director, ChangMu Dance Company
Choi Ji-yeon is a visionary choreographer renowned for her ability to seamlessly blend theatrical techniques with the expressive language of dance. Active across a variety of creative disciplines— including dance, film, and theater—Choi serves as the artistic director of ChangMu Dance Company, a leading institution in the evolution of contemporary Korean dance. Her work is deeply rooted in the foundational elements of Korean dance, particularly the concept of JeongJeong-dong (stillness within movement), yet she boldly departs from tradition to establish a groundbreaking new grammar of Korean creative dance.
In addition to her leadership at ChangMu, Choi has formed ChoiJi-yeonMovement, a platform through which she pushes artistic boundaries and transcends the conventional divisions between theater and dance. By exploring innovative methods of acting and expressive movement, she creates performances that embody a harmonious balance of these two art forms. Her dedication to this interdisciplinary approach enables her to develop new solutions for storytelling through motion, enriching the vocabulary of contemporary Korean dance.
Choi Ji-yeon is celebrated for her ability to captivate audiences with performances that are as visually striking as they are emotionally compelling. Her choreography, often described as a dramatic mise-en-scène akin to cinematic storytelling, draws viewers into a richly layered stage world. Combining meticulously refined dance techniques with the power of theatrical immersion, she crafts productions that leave a lasting impression through their depth, creativity, and artistic integrity.
by
Photo
Kim Jung Man
Scan this QR code to read the artist's biography in Korean.
Kim Jee-young (Deputy Artistic Director, ChangMu Dance Company) Kim Jee-young is a dedicated Korean dance artist who has transformed her passion into a lifelong profession. As Deputy Artistic Director of ChangMu Dance Company, she is committed to exploring the identity of Korean culture and dance, bridging the gap between theory and practice through hands-on experience. With a deep respect for Korean cultural traditions and an openminded, forward-thinking approach, she brings dynamic energy and warmth to her work, embodying the vibrant spirit of Korean dance.
Kim Mi-sun (Permanent Choreographer, ChangMu Dance Company) A leading dancer of ChangMu Dance Company, Kim Mi-sun delves into the essence of Korean traditional dance, reinterpreting it through a modern lens. Her choreography seamlessly blends tradition and contemporary expression, offering a profound philosophical exploration that connects the human spirit with cosmic energy. With 28 years of performance and creative experience, she has shared the spirituality and aesthetics of Korean dance on international stages. Additionally, she nurtures the next generation of dancers through her work at Korea National University of Arts and Dongduk Women's University. Her artistic vision is rooted in awakening inner spirituality and forging deeper connections with audiences.
Jin-han Choi (Principal Dancer, ChangMu Dance Company) Jin-han Choi approaches dance as a living dialogue with the audience, transforming personal thoughts into movement narratives that provoke deep reflection. His work expands the boundaries of visual perception, unveiling hidden emotions that cannot be imitated. He crafts an evocative world of tactile sensations—both melancholic and joyful—inviting audiences into a poetic and visually striking experience that lingers long after the
Kim Young Chan (Principal Dancer, ChangMu Dance Company) A dedicated practitioner of Cheoyongmu, a UNESCO-designated national intangible heritage, Kim Young Chan centers his creative work on traditional Korean dance. As the leader of the 29-Dong Dance Troupe, he is committed to breaking boundaries between disabled and non-disabled artists, fostering an inclusive artistic community. Through his work, he strives to create dance that is both deeply rooted in tradition and responsive to contemporary life, ensuring that Korean dance remains a living and evolving art form.
Stage Manager PARK JIN HYUNG
Lighting Designer LEE SEUNG HO
Sound Director LEE SEUNG YONG
Manager RHIM JAE E
HYUN JUN BEOM
BAE GI HYUN
YU JAE SUNG
PARK JIN PYO
YU EUN JI
LEE YE EUN
JUNG JOO HEE
PACK JU HEE
KO KYUNG HYE
DISCOVER OUR FLOCK OF HEROES
A Tribute to Those Who Soar with Us!
Our Flock List includes gifts made between December 28, 2023 and February 28, 2025. Those with total gifts of $100 or more are honored online (linked through the QR code to the right), and those giving $250 or more are listed below. For questions or changes regarding our Flock List, please contact Executive Director, Graham Cole at graham@whitebird.org
TITANIUM PATRONS ($10,000+)
Anonymous
Terry Bean
Andrea & Fred
Ken & Ann Edwards
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Ronni S. Lacroute Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Lisa & Shawn K. Mangum
Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Oregon Arts Commission
City of Portland, Office of Arts & Culture
Angela Roach
Ellen Walkley
DIAMOND PATRONS ($5,000+)
Anonymous
Autzen Foundation
The J & J Foundation
Joan Cirillo & Roger Cooke
George Eighmey & Peter Livingston
Marnie Frank
Virginia Belt & Curt Frye
Maryanne & David Holman
Jackson Foundation
Joanne & Steven Rizzo
Robert & Mercedes Eichholz Foundation
Janet Roberts & Ed Clark
Darci & Charlie Swindells
George & Nancy Thorn
Edyth Willard
GOLD PATRONS ($2,500+)
Creative West
Full Potential Fund
Sandra & Stephen Holmes
Lancefield Realty
Morel Ink
Michael Wood Richman & Jim Richman
Jaymi & Francis Sladen
Sarabelle Hitchner & Thomas Snell
Zupan's Markets
SILVER PATRONS ($1,000+)
Sherrie Barr & Philip Lewin
Leroy Bynum
Carol Schnitzer Lewis Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Denise Carty & Roger Brown Family Fund
Marina & Rafael Casiano
Roberta Davis
Marvin & Abby Dawson
Yvonne Deckard
Leslye Epstein
Marco Escalante & Dongni Li
Kim & Greg Flick
Ann & Edward Galen
Deborah Horrell & Kit Gillem Fund for Arts & Conservation
Nancy Goodwin & Albert Horn
Suzanne & Ero Gray
Connie Guist
C. Hall, In Honor of Celeste Miller
In Memory of Beth Hyams
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KB Home
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Marian & Elihu Schott Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
